Our Staff

Jon Pedro, Ph.D. ~ email

Dr. Pedro is a licensed clinical psychologist and the Director of Connecticut Behavioral Health, LLC. He received his M.A. in Counseling Psychology from The State University of New York, New Paltz and his Ph.D. in School Psychology from The University of Memphis. Dr. Pedro completed his clinical internship at The Louisiana State University (LSU) Medical Center and continued working at the LSU Medical Center after his internship year in their Child Development Center. Dr. Pedro has worked as a consulting psychologist and school psychologist to schools in New Orleans, LA, Memphis, TN, and throughout Connecticut. Additionally, Dr. Pedro worked for the Association of Retarded Citizens (ARC) in New York, running both day treatment and in-home treatment services. Dr. Pedro specializes in developmental disorders and behaviorally problematic children. Dr. Pedro consults with many school districts and mental health facilities throughout the state to develop behavioral intervention programs and train staff in effective behavioral techniques that work with difficult children. Dr. Pedro has taught psychology at the graduate and undergraduate level, supervised doctoral level clinicians and presented nationally on managing behavioral problems in school settings.

Ryan Loss, Ph.D. ~ email

Dr. Loss is a licensed clinical psychologist. He received his Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Texas A&M University where his clinical and research work focused on treating childhood behavior problems and parent therapy techniques. Dr. Loss completed his clinical internship at Franciscan Hospital for Children where his clinical work focused on assessment and treatment of children and adolescents with significant behavioral and emotional difficulties. He then completed his Residency year with Connecticut Behavioral Health, LLC, expanding his clinical practice to the treatment of adults in addition to children, adolescents, and families. Dr. Loss specializes in individual and family therapy addressing issues of emotional, behavioral, and psychological functioning. Dr. Loss has worked with children, adolescents, families, and adults in university, hospital, community, and school settings, and now private practice. Dr. Loss has taught psychology at the undergraduate level, supervised postdoctoral level clinicians, provided in-service trainings for school districts and parent organizations, and presented research on behavior problems at national conferences.

Robert Peyton, Ph.D. ~ email

Dr. Peyton received his M.A. in Human Development and Ph.D. in Child and Developmental Psychology from the University of Kansas, Department of Human Development and Family Living. He completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Rochester Medical Center, where he conducted diagnostic evaluations at the Kirch Developmental Services Center and provided consultation to schools on the use of discrete-trial training, incidental teaching, and applied behavior analysis for students with autism-spectrum disorders. Dr. Peyton completed his clinical internship at Johns Hopkins Hospital, Kennedy Krieger Institute, where he completed rotations on the inpatient neurobehavioral unit and pervasive developmental disorders clinic. Dr. Peyton’s additional clinical training included an ADHD and behavior disorders clinic at Children’s Mercy Hospital, parent training for teenage fathers at Truman Medical Center, and in clinics for self-injurious and aggressive behaviors, intelligence testing, and autism diagnosis at the University of Kansas Medical Center. Dr. Peyton’s research experience includes research on school-wide interventions using Positive Behavioral Supports, the detection and treatment of dementia, functional analysis and antecedent-based interventions for children with autism, and an NIH-funded grant to evaluate the effects of the drug risperidone on people with developmental disabilities. Dr. Peyton has published multiple papers on treatments for children with autism and is currently working on publications focusing on early-intensive behavioral interventions for autism and the treatment of toileting problems.

Chris Abildgaard, M.S. ~ email

Mr. Abildgaard, M.S. is a certified school psychologist and a behavioral and autism consultant for CBH. Mr. Abildgaard received his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology from Wheaton College, MA in 2000 and obtained his Master of Arts degree in School Psychology from Southern Connecticut State University and later his 6th Year Professional degree in School Psychology from SCSU as well. Mr. Abildgaard has worked in several school districts as a school psychologist where he sharpened his clinical skills in assessment, interventions and consultation methods when working with children identified with having an Autism Spectrum Disorder. Now as a consultant for CBH, Mr. Abildgaard works closely with area school districts to ensure the most appropriate educational interventions and programming for children with ASD. Mr. Abildgaard is also part of the clinical team at CBH involved with assessment and diagnosis of children with Autism Spectrum Disorders

Linda Frazer-Sierra,M.A., M.S.W. ~ email

Linda Frazer-Sierra is a social worker specializing in family systems, individual needs, couples therapy, and group dynamics. Mrs. Sierra has worked in a variety of school systems supporting and consulting on students identified with a variety of psychosocial difficulties. Mrs. Sierra worked 5 years for the Windsor Public School System focusing on assisting students with significant learning and behavioral difficulties. Currently, Mrs. Sierra works for Regional District 13 where she works with children, families, and faculty to help students feel successful in their classrooms. Mrs. Sierra has been in private practice at CBH for 5 years.

Beth Guirelli, Psy.D. ~ email

Dr. Beth Giurelli, Psychology Resident, received her doctoral training in Clinical Psychology from Antioch University. She works primarily with adults, and specializes in women’s issues and anxiety disorders. Dr. Giurelli has expertise in issues of diversity and spent her internship year at the Massachusetts Multicultural Psychology Internship program. Dr. Giurelli also holds a Masters degree in Psychology and has over five years of clinical experience in addition to her clinical training. Dr. Giurelli has been a business manager, coach and researcher in corporate environments for the past twenty years. Her background includes staff supervision and development in both in mental health settings and business settings, as well as grant writing and program development. Dr. Giurelli practices from an eclectic perspective, incorporating cognitive-behavioral models as well as constructivist theories, particularly narrative therapy techniques. She brings clinical expertise, practical knowledge, diversity awareness, and a caring perspective to her clinical practice.

Denise Race, Office Manager ~ email

As office manager, Denise handles all insurance related information, scheduling appointments, and taking messages for the clinical staff.